CFBA Review: Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hake

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Serendipity  Bethany House (August 1, 2010)  by  Cathy Marie Hake   



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:   





Known for surfing across the kitchen on a dropped dill pickle slice, waterskiing on sea anemone spit, and using Right Guard® as hair spray; she considers herself living proof that God does, indeed, possess a healthy sense of humor.



Cathy loves classical music, romantic getaways with her husband, and Diet Pepsi Free®. "I need chocolate to survive, love my friends, and enjoy a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Although an extrovert, I'm very conservative on a personal level."



In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple's relationship.



Cathy Marie Hake is a registered nurse who worked for many years in an oncology unit before shifting her focus to perinatal care. The author of over twenty novels, she lives with her husband and two children in Anaheim, California.





ABOUT THE BOOK   

Todd Valmer should have known better. A farmer who's been through several disasters, he travels to Virginia to fetch his widowed mother to cook and help him around his Texas farm...or that was the plan until she keels over on the train and they get kicked off.



Maggie Rose barters for a living and also makes soaps, lotions, and perfumes with a special rose recipe passed down from mother to daughter for generations. She hasn't wanted to marry...until that handsome Texan shows up.



Her heart skips a beat, and when he proposes, a hasty marriage follows. What ensues, however, is a clash of culture and a battle of wills--and it's clear they both mistook instant attraction and infatuation for love. As their marriage loses its sparkle and fills with disillusionment, Todd and Maggie must determine what is worth fighting for. He dreams of a farm. Maggie wants to fulfill the family tradition with her rose perfumes.



Todd's mother, however, has entirely different plans for her son that do not include Maggie. In light of their hasty marriage and mistaken dreams, is there any hope of recapturing their love and building a future together?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Serendipity, go HERE.


I just finished this delightful read a few minutes ago. It took me a couple of chapters to "get into it" but once the story started going, I found it enjoyable. I have never known the love of a mother-in-law (mine passed away before I met hubby) but I have heard many wonderful things about her from many people. I've never heard anyone speak a negative word against her! On the other hand, I do have a father-in-law who lives with my husband and I. I thought he was bad until I read this book! LOL

How Maggie tolerated putting up with I'll never know...except that she loves God and Todd. She's a much stronger woman than I could ever be!! Maggie is very headstrong though and her uncles taught her well. Her roses are her life and when she moves to Texas to be with Todd and Helga, she takes her roses with her. They cause her some problems, but also help with other things in life. Could this marriage result in serendipity (the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way---The New Oxford American Dictionary)? 

I love that this book portrayed a strong willed woman against her mother-in-law! Maggie also marries a man whom she hardly knows. She loves him because that's just what a wife does. I do not think he loves her on their wedding day or for many more days though. How hard a life that makes for Maggie!! Todd is also not the most supportive when it comes to the way his mother treats his wife! Doubly hard for Maggie!! She doesn't give up though and perseveres. Will Todd ever see the worth of his wife? Can he love his wife and mother?

Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book!